Ongoing Studies
The Ch.I.L.D Research Group is always looking for new child scientists to participate in our research. Here are our studies currently looking for participants!
Parent-Child Free-Play Interactions and Word Learning
As infants' language skills develop, they start recognizing speech sounds and patterns, which allows them to add new words to their vocabulary. Previous research has shown that this learning process involves establishing connections between specific words and the objects they represent. However, there has been limited investigation into how different types of parent-child interactions, such as co-viewing, affect a child's ability to learn new words, especially when learning from a video. Additionally, we are interested in understanding how child-parent free-play interactions and interruptions to these interactions impact a child's learning outcomes. In this study, we use non-invasive eye-tracking technology to examine the various contexts in which parent-child interactions influence the learning process.
This study is looking for new participants!
We are recruiting 14- and 18-month-old participants for this in-person study, which will be held at the University of Calgary (with free parking and babysitting provided). Your child will receive a toy prize, a t-shirt, and a certificate for their contribution.
To sign up, please contact haneen.salama@ucalgary.ca or register for our database!
Can't find what you're looking for?
Sign up for our database to be contacted when we are recruiting for a study your child is eligible for!
Gaze-Based Measures of Mind Wandering and Executive Functions in Children
This study will examine the common experience of mind wandering, which is shifting attention from a task at hand to something unrelated. In particular, we will explore mind wandering in children whose brain functions, such as the ability to focus, set goals and follow instructions are still developing. Specifically, we will examine gaze-based measures of mind wandering (using a non-invasive eye-tracker) in children, and how these vary between mind wandering tasks.
This study is looking for 8-12-year-olds to participate in our study!
The study requires a one-time visit to our lab at the University of Calgary, during which your child will be invited to play a series of games on a keyboard and screen, while answering questions throughout based on whether they were thinking on task or off task. Parents will complete a short questionnaire regarding their child.
Free parking will be provided, and your child will receive a $10 everything e-gift card and completion certificate for their invaluable contribution to our project
Interested?
If your child is 8-12-years-old, and you are interested in participating, please contact child@ucalgary.ca or sign up for our database!